Social media does more harm than good

If something controls the course of your life ,then are you really the master of it, or is it the master?

Social media is a double edged weapon for sure, but the way it's used nowadays and the purpose of its usage makes it more harmful than beneficial.

To start with, many people tend to talk about how social media "connects people" on the contrary, social media separates people in a way that has never been. It creates the illusion of connection while all it does is separate slowly and indirectly. Video calls and chats are now apparently an alternative for meeting , talking face to face and visiting each other. I’m obviously not talking about people living far away, but about those who choose chatting over visiting because it’s easier. So, social media may connect some people, but it definitely separates a lot more, making human connections lack meaning and emotions.

In addition, Social media platforms have many effects on our brain and mental health, Varying from hindering everyday activities to affecting actual lives. Various studies have proven that social media reduces our attention span significantly, by getting used to watching reels and videos not exceeding 3 minutes, we find it hard to concentrate on longer tasks. Studying becomes harder, concentrating during lectures is a challenge and everyday activities seem boring, tiring and stressful.

Moreover ,short dopamine pumps resulting from endless scrolling don't only affect our attention but also our mood and mental health. They are short bursts of pleasure that leave us craving more, but ultimately feeling emptier. Getting addicted to social media and scrolling is a very common and dangerous form of addiction, though rarely acknowledged as such. It's a reason for many problems such as ADHD , reduced attention span, anxiety and even depression. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health (2023), social media use is strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and reduced attention in young people.

Another important point is the content we consume. For example: Comparing ourselves to people on social media creates low self esteem and a constant feeling of dissatisfaction. People find things that may have once pleased them unpleasant just because someone , somewhere is doing better than them. While that may not be true at all. It's very easy to fake things online and spread misconception. Most of what we see online is false or misleading. Which brings me to another example: social media is the master of false news and propaganda. Even the most knowledgeable people can fall for this trap. If you think you can escape from this trap by simply not believing anything you see online, then I'm sorry to inform you that you are mistaken. Everything we see and the content we consume subconsciously affects our brain, shapes our thoughts and affects our mental health.

So while social media may promise connection and information, in reality it leaves us distracted, divided, and dissatisfied. When you put all of this together: weakened relationships, damaged attention, poor mental health, and widespread misinformation, the harm becomes undeniable.